Poll: Bush running even with Kerry

WASHINGTON – President Bush has pulled back into a tie with Democrat John Kerry in a CBS News-New York Times poll released Monday, apparently boosted by increasing optimism about the economy.

The race remains very close even though Bush’s job approval rating was at 42 percent – the lowest level in this poll amid rising concerns about Iraq and terrorism.

Kerry had 45 percent support and Bush by 44 percent in the poll. In a three-way matchup, Kerry and Bush were still running even while independent Ralph Nader was at 5 percent.

In May, Kerry led Bush by 8 percentage points in a two-way matchup, and by 6 points in a three-way matchup.

The poll found a slight increase in the number of people who said the economy is getting better – from 25 percent to 30 percent – and a significant decline in the number who said it’s getting worse – from 21 percent to 30 percent.

Three-fourths of those who say the economy is improving support Bush, and three-fourths of those who say it’s getting worse support Kerry.